In 1967, the family relocated to Sacramento, and in 1970, she and Dale sold everything and took their kids to Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), West Africa, as Missionary Assistance Corps volunteers through Conservative Baptist Foreign Mission Society. “Uncle Dale” and “Aunt Barbara” shared their skills at the missionary school , Ivory Coast Academy), in Bouakéfor two years. Barbara taught 5th & 6th grades, while Dale built homes, churches, dormitories and classrooms.